The voluntary market for carbon credits. It’s primary purpose is to allow companies to voluntarily purchase and retire carbon credits to offset their unavoided emissions. Since participation is voluntary, companies often choose to participate for environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting, risk mitigation or other reasons tied to the company’s mission or success. Other actors, e.g., countries, NGOs, etc., may also purchase carbon credits to incentivize the activities that led to the creation of the carbon credit.